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RUNNIN' VEGAS - The John McNamara Sports Podcast
Talking all things Las Vegas sports-from UNLV to the pros, and everything in between.
RUNNIN' VEGAS - The John McNamara Sports Podcast
Fantasy Football Reality Check | John McNamara & Steve Brown
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Welcome And Fantasy Football Setup
SPEAKER_01Hey guys, John McCamell here to Ron and Vegas. We're talking about the sports business real estate. If you guys like it, subscribe to the followers at Ron and Vegas podcast today. Woo! We got episode two. Fantasy football with the expert.
SPEAKER_00Steve Brown. No, no, no. Just an enthusiast. Enthusiast. Not an expert in anything.
SPEAKER_01We did some expert picks on our first show. Bold. Bold pick. I like that. And wrong. I like that. Oh, I think we both had some wrong picks. So we're gonna. That's why we keep playing. That's why we keep that's drama. Right? We keep coming back for more. So we'll make fun of ourselves a little bit today. A lot. A lot of our silly picks and our good picks. So yeah, fantasy
Injury Chaos And Depth Strategy
SPEAKER_01football. What are your thoughts? The first quarter of the NFL, give or take, four or five weeks. Then we'll see is over. What uh what's your thoughts so far for fantasy football?
SPEAKER_00I hate it. No, uh we we talked about it. Like injuries have just decimated most teams, uh, which ever all the all the other viewers who are doing this, they're in the same boat. So uh adapt and overcome. Um so but yeah, uh injuries and just realizing depth is important. Yes, so but depth is huge.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I was sawing you after the first week after we did the show. I'm like, man, I am a fantasy football genius. And then week two rolls around and everybody got injured, and then week three, and not as many, but like another bad week of injuries. And I'm like, what is going on this year? Yeah, like I've never seen so many hammies go.
SPEAKER_00Uh hamstrings, yeah, freak. Quad. Um, yeah, what do we got? Knees, quads, pecs. I mean, you name it ankles. Yeah. And we, you know, we talk about like the turf to grass, you're like, oh, you know, we need this. Honestly, I just think that they need to have more offseason and um stop being pansies.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00Something's going on. But what do I know? I'm just here talking about it. So, what is your strategy to have depth? Um, don't trade away, well, fantasy, dynasty, because that's kind of where it don't trade away all your picks too early. Don't blow your wad. Oh, okay. Yeah, because then you don't have anything to trade away to make up. You're talking to the wrong guy. I know you I trade those picks. Uh, those were gone this summer. That's right.
SPEAKER_01That's right. But who's like in first place in all your leagues? Are you?
SPEAKER_02Oh, he doesn't even know.
SPEAKER_01He doesn't even know.
SPEAKER_00You may you may, you know what? Time will tell.
SPEAKER_01The first quarter. You don't even know your wrong league, bro. I'm in too many. You know what's funny though? I was uh texting or DMing somebody this morning because he sent me a trade. I'm like, are you are you um are you rebuilding or are you trying to win this year? He's like, I'm in first place. I'm like, my bad. I'm sorry, I'm in like so many leagues, I can track.
SPEAKER_00And that's where I tell people, they're like, how do you do so many leagues? And I'm like, it's actually easy now because it's a numbers game. It's a numbers game. I have everybody, so I'm not chasing any one person. I don't want overexposure, but I now I can Sundays I just watch football. Yeah, I don't have to root for Caleb or the you know, whatever right wide receiver. I watch football. I I check the scores after the games, like, oh shoot, I'm up. Um, but I like the GM aspect of things. Me too. So that's the fun part.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's actually it's interesting because I think when you're only in a couple leagues, you actually get more cashed versus if you're in in a lot of leagues, if you're psychos like us.
SPEAKER_00Um D Gens, not psychos.
SPEAKER_01Oh, yes, yes, thank you. Thank you. Um don't want to turn off the viewers. Or no, that's how we get the viewers. They don't know what's gonna happen on the spot. Uh but yeah, the more shares you have or your more leagues, you actually not attach. You just watch like my favorite thing to do now is put my phone down, don't even look at my phone, watch red zone for a couple hours, chill, hang out with you know, the cats, the dogs, whatever, and just hang out and and not even look at the fantasy football. Just watch football and enjoy it. It's great. That's what I like.
SPEAKER_00And people are like, oh, how do you do that? How do you do so many leagues? I have uh it's because I have everybody. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, he got hurt. Yeah, well, there's that league, or multiple leagues, whatever. Yeah, I'm winning this league. Whatever. Yeah, so diversify.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think the strategy too is keep up with your waivers every week. I think that's a mistake that people do, is cool. They're like, oh, my team looks good, I don't need to do anything. And then you have a like week two or week three, and now half your team's injured, and you haven't been working the waivers and being proactive, just don't spend a lot of money, just keep working them all the time, and you'll get that depth.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, well, flip the the stagnant guys at the bottom of your roster for you know, trending guys. Um, a couple bucks here, a couple bucks there. Um, a hundred fab goes a long way. Um zero dollars. But absol because of you, I actually made a one dollar minimum bid. Yeah, I hate it. And he hates that because you make a one dollar minimum bid on everybody, you start thinking about it come week 15, you're like, dang, I have yeah, there's one like I have $0 in my year.
SPEAKER_01Like, or maybe I have one or two, but the other one I have like $50. So that's one of the first places. Yeah, so we need some in. That's it's it's been rough, which is needless to say, for this first quarter. So yeah, that's
Breakout Quarterbacks And Coaching Debate
SPEAKER_01fun. So, what have been your breakout players for the first month? QB's go QBs, honestly, Bryce Young.
SPEAKER_00Oh, that was mine. Oh, um, okay. No, how Bryce, go. Uh I th I like Bryce Young. So I actually hate Bryce Young. I've knocked on him since Alabama. Uh him throwing on his tippy toes, he I don't know, dude just put it together. And it's it's impressive. It's fun to watch. It's been impressive. Uh Canales. I give can I give a lot of credit to these coaches and sometimes.
SPEAKER_01Question for it, is the coordinator or the quarterback more important? I say coordinator. Yeah, or a coach. I mean I mean, yeah, I say the coach.
SPEAKER_00Canalis is he did it in Tampa, he's doing it in uh Carolina. I like him. But Bryce is looking better, he's making sound decisions.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, Bryce is one of mine too, very impressive. I would have considered him a sleeper, but he's been playing so I guess breakout. Well, I consider him a breakout now, right? I also have uh Purdy, Shanahan, and then uh Shuck for New Orleans Saints. So these were all kind of sleepers, but they're top five quarterbacks.
SPEAKER_00Shuck, though, is different. There's not many coaches that allow a young quarterback to throw 50 times a game.
SPEAKER_01So I think he's over 27 years old.
SPEAKER_00Well, just because he went from Oregon, Louisville, and every other you know, division.
SPEAKER_01I was surprised because I got no sh- I mean I have shows of him now, um, and he's fun to watch, but I was like, how what are the chances this guy is good? Like he didn't do anything in college.
SPEAKER_00That's why dart throw on every young guy.
SPEAKER_01But he's got a good he's got a good head coach. That's it. Yeah, kill him more is good. Boys of the state. Yeah. All right, what are some running backs?
Running Back Breakouts And Trade Value
SPEAKER_01Who's been the big breakout running back for you? I would say Warren.
SPEAKER_00Jalen Warren. Jalen Warren. Uh low ADP guy. I mean, he was a starter. Everybody thought Dowdle was gonna come in and still touches, but he's done way more, and that that team is not good, and he looks good. Yeah. So uh I've been surprised on him.
SPEAKER_01So a little breakout on that aspect, but I like Jaron Warren too. I got a ton of shares of him versus I wasn't buying the Rico Dowdle thing. Rico, Rico's a good back, but it just seems like he had too many touches too soon, and it yeah, I think he's already kind of worn down. Well, you've already seen it, he's been injured.
SPEAKER_00And I would say he's been on three different teams in three different years. Why?
SPEAKER_01Why? Yeah, if you're if you're that much of a beast, like why aren't you getting re-signed?
SPEAKER_00Why didn't Cowboys resign him? Why didn't we Panthers resign him?
SPEAKER_01He looked incredible for the Panthers, and then they and then he just all of some lost the Chubb.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, Chuba Hubbard comes in, they're like, oh, Brooks, and then yeah, it doesn't that's a telltale sign for me.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so the one thing about you with Jalen Warren, I I I was bigger on him than Rico too, is he's a really good pass catcher. He pass blocks, and Aaron Rodgers, even though he's throwing the ball down the field this year, which is amazing. He's I was a little worried about Aaron Rodgers for a couple weeks. I thought that Oran was. Oh my god, no, because it's so sad. Like the paint, the last year Paint Manning, like obviously I mean, it was I mean, the ball just didn't go anywhere.
SPEAKER_00Somehow Aaron still has zipped that defense, but he's checking down a lot. Yeah, and I think uh like Metcalf not catching the ball is probably making it like less willing to throw it deep. Just all right, it's not there, check. Yeah, and so and Warren's proven that he's he can catch anything. So uh, but that would be a what about you?
SPEAKER_01Uh mine is Kenneth Walker. Okay, I feel like Kenneth Walker is taking that next step because it's it's Gibbs and then uh Bichon. I mean, even Bichon looks like he's leveled up this year. Like he looks like a different guy this year, which is amazing to watch. Um, but Kenneth Walker, I feel like there's uh officially a top three in my head.
SPEAKER_00Uh I I mean, based on just work volume, uh he went 500 yards.
SPEAKER_01I mean, he's there's you know, like with B. John and Gibbs, where it's like, how are they gonna and then they they're gone. Where I feel like Kenneth Walker has that ability now, which I didn't really see that as much in Seattle. Maybe it's banged up, but maybe Seattle didn't use him as well. But it's kind of funny because somebody made a comment the other day, like, even though Seattle just won a Super Bowl, like why did they not re-sign Kenneth Walker? Because you watch him now, you're like, this guy is an elite running back now.
SPEAKER_00And I think it's the money, you know, and they said Charbonnet is coming back, he's competent, and then they draft price. I think he's expendable as a running back.
SPEAKER_01I understand that, but after watching Kenneth Walker, would you pay him that money now? Yeah, yes, absolutely.
SPEAKER_00I don't know, they they make it up in jersey sales. What would you in a dynasty what uh what would you need to trade away Kenneth Walker? What would someone have to offer you?
SPEAKER_01Um, well, in one league before the season started, I got uh Jalen Coker and Christian Watson. So I think it was really light. It's well, I think it worked out for both of us. I got two top ten wide receivers, and you got a number three. Is Coker a top ten receiver? It wasn't until he got injured. But that's part of uh just Coker. I okay. Just because you were down on Coker a month ago and now he broke out. He's been hurt he's been hurt two weeks? Yeah. Well, he's out this week because they have a buy. So well, that doesn't count as being hurt. He was hurt. Well, he was hurt last week. He didn't play last week.
SPEAKER_00Availability is more important than well, he's gonna be back the following week. So but going back to Bijan, Bijan is almost untradeable, in my opinion. And you'd have to give, yeah. Both of those guys, and you'd have to essentially deplete your team uh uh draft picks and provide me something of need. Like if I'm desperate at quarterback, I want a quarterback. If I need a replacement running back, like I want somewhere where it hurts for you. Yeah, so and all your picks because those guys, you're not gonna replace next year's draft.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and I I I yeah, and I think they're on an elite level. Yeah, I would say like Kenneth's like the third. So one thing was we have to see with Ken Walker, can he maintain a full workload for an entire year? We'll see that. Because we haven't seen it.
SPEAKER_00He has no one behind him, like he the Charbonnet was not great, but I don't think Emmett Johnson kind of looks handcuffed for Chiefs. Yeah, great. That's a good one. Um, they have guys, are they competent enough to take over if an injury? Probably not right now.
SPEAKER_01So they Emmett Johnson has ability to potentially take over. Okay. So who are your breakout? Who is this year's JSN? Didn't we do this? Is it is it JSN? Apparently it's Coker to you. Yeah, it's not coker. All right, what are your breakout? I'm making fun of it because JSN's blowing up again. Like, okay. Um, but who's your breakout wide receivers? Apparently they can't be injured, so you're not gonna like one of mine.
SPEAKER_00But I feel like I called one. Um I again, I I mean I said DJ Moore last time, and he hasn't been available. Um, so I don't know. I don't know.
SPEAKER_01Well, that's he really Ted McMillan. Did you not compare DJ Moore to Jerry Rice? I did said I did. Are we bringing that up again? Did Jerry Rice get ever get injured? Not until he was like 50.
SPEAKER_00Uh Ted's good. Um Tet's good, yeah. I would say it's hard right now because of the injuries. I don't believe that a lot of the the guys that were seeking to make these breakouts. Burden's come through, Adunzay's gone down, but um Watson's done more, I think some of these guys who we expected. So I don't know if they're breakouts. Um so I don't know.
SPEAKER_01Christian Watson's a top 10. Yeah. Um I did I did put him as one of them. Um and just I'm just out of cure curiosity though, because you had Tet. Who has more targets for the first two weeks of the year? Was it Coker or Tet? When they were in the two weeks? Yeah, when they were both healthy.
SPEAKER_00Uh Tet has 14 catches last year.
SPEAKER_01He's the number one receiver the first two weeks of the Carolina. Move along to the next question. Move along. Okay, so my other breakout though was Zay Flowers. I know he got injured, but that first game was ridiculous. It was everything that I saw at the end of the year, and that was my big breakout uh on our last show. It was. He hasn't been able to stay healthy, so he may not be official breakout, but there's just another level to say flowers right now. He looks like a video game. He looks fast. He looks super fast. Um, so we'll see. And then Lamar Jackson, I mean he might have a high ankle sprain. Um so he's go Falcons. Go Falcons. We're gonna talk about
Falcons Outlook With Penix
SPEAKER_01okay. Let's get into it. Oh, right now. All right. Two and two, NFC South, number number one NFC South, right? Uh I think tied. Yeah. Are they? Well, I mean, yeah, tied, but you're number one. Whatever. Two and two, okay. Yeah. I mean, it's I mean it's NFC South. I was pessimistic. You get 500, you win your division. So you're on track to win your division. What would he do?
SPEAKER_00Uh I uh was pessimistic uh because of the defense. Ulrich has done an amazing job. I thought they overperformed last year. Yeah, they're doing just as good without Walker and or Pierce due to you know injuries and off-the-field issues, but they look good. Yeah. Um, I will tell you, uh, every team needs a quarterback that doesn't look like Rush. And that's why we want own two because there was no quarterback. So you you go and get Tua to back up Panics, and then he obviously springs his labia, and then um kind of go for the bigger. Yeah, Tua looked rough. Uh I just it's it's sad to watch.
SPEAKER_01He needs to retire.
SPEAKER_00Like it's over. As long as the defense is playing good and Bichon is doing Bichon things. I think uh it it's gonna be and Tampa Bay looks like crap, and with the injury uh of Mayfield, it could be between Carolina and Atlanta. Yeah, the way things are looking. I I think so too.
SPEAKER_01Well, I think New Orleans is still in there too.
SPEAKER_00I Atlanta beat them up, they exposed them.
SPEAKER_01That that they did. It's early though. But we'll see. And I mean, I would give I would say I would say New Orleans isn't out if that makes sense.
SPEAKER_00I don't think their defense is good enough. They may be able to I I think their offense can hang because of their weapons, but I don't think their defense is is there yet.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So yeah, we'll see how the rest of the season goes because Atlanta game plan was amazing against New Orleans. Run so run. But again, the same thing, like Saints have lost some very close games. You're right, because of the defense. But it's it is interesting. I do think it's Panthers. So, what are you what's your thoughts? Pennix now. It's only been two games. Okay, the team looks like a completely different team. We're talking about drafting Arch Manning. The season's already over.
SPEAKER_00We we talked about it last time. I'm not a Penix fan because of his slow delivery, like he's but he's he's got an arm. He's got a lot of arm. I think that um the offensive coroner is utilizing his strengths and not making not putting him in positions that are uh outside of his wheelhouse. And so he's not trying to run, he's taking advantage of the defense. I think he's reading the defense better than he did last year. Yeah, and so I think that's beneficial to the team.
SPEAKER_01So and to be fair to Penix, like this is really like his first time, you know, being the guy. Like in the past, it's either he's coming in or there's Kirk Cousins around, or um who is still the highest paid quarterback on Atlanta's salary, which is crazy. But I don't I don't think he's really gotten a fair shot. I don't I Penix, his arm talent. Oh, it's amazing. He's a top 20 quarterback. Now, if he puts it all together, because yeah, he's not super athletic, he's kind of like he's athletic enough, he can move around enough. And at Washington, he was he was pretty brilliant to watch, but can he put it all together this year? Because the thing is, if this team wins an MC South division title, they're probably not drafting a quarterback.
SPEAKER_00No, no, no.
SPEAKER_01And they're probably writing out the rookie contract and Kirk Cousins' contract.
SPEAKER_00But London's you got London, so fantasy-wise, I mean you got a number one um. My concern is if London goes down though, you got no.
SPEAKER_01I don't understand why they've created no depth at the receiver position.
SPEAKER_00Uh, I don't know. And they're hoping Branch is the guy, and I like Branch is a sleeper in Dynasty, I know. Um, which we talked about last time. Yeah, but he hasn't been asked to do that yet. And I see him as being a flowers, that's Zay Flowers. That's how I view Branch. He yeah, he has a lot of similarities. Yeah. So, but again, Alana hasn't done it. We were talking about just you know the team itself. Fantasy-wise, I love London um because he's he's the alpha, there's no one else. Imagine if London was fast. Then you would have you'd have Chase. Yeah, you would. And then you'd have to.
SPEAKER_01I was thinking about it the other day because he's just like he's going off, but like, any he as soon as he starts running, he gets tackled immediately because he's so slow. I've never seen him outrun anymore. No, it's but I mean he's a great player, but I'm like, man, he's just he's a really slow receiver. You know, Atlanta's his agility is insane. He he can for his size, he breaks incredible. He creates that separation. It's just long speed.
SPEAKER_00He can jump, which is good. Um, he's 6'5. Yeah, I mean, compared to me, he's compared to all of us. That's good. What about you?
Raiders Sleepers And Receiver Trade Ideas
SPEAKER_00What are you uh what about your Raiders? Uh Raiders? Um Dynasty wise. What do you like about him?
SPEAKER_01Gente looks good. Mike Washington, though, has been playing as well. He might not he might be a better natural runner than Genty, and nobody's talking about it. Michael Mayer has been interesting. That would be my sleeper tight end.
SPEAKER_00As at this point, right now. If you want some chairs, bro, I got some. I know. You want heavy on him.
SPEAKER_01I'm a Notre Dame guy. I was surprised about that contract he got.
SPEAKER_00And I did make sense. I but I get it. Bowers is a stud, but you need to make sure you have someone capable of replacing him if he goes down. And if they're doing 12-team or 12-man lineups, then then you're good.
SPEAKER_01Uh well, it's been kind of interesting with because receivers that are terrible for the Raiders. Should they trade for somebody? Um I've been talking about this with a couple guys like I hate the receivers that are available. Who would you trade for? Uh I don't like Judy. Say Sutton. Uh, I don't like that. Old, but cheap. I mean, I they do need like a like a natural X receiver to have one. Neiler's not. I don't think uh if the if the deal is okay, yeah, because like a Judy or a Sun, they're kind of these similar receivers. They're yeah, possession guys, but I do think it helps. I don't think it's a bad idea. Yeah. Because there is a couple options out there right now. Um, like who who else besides those two? Uh there I can't remember. I mean, Tyree Kill, but is he healthy? No, no, I wouldn't do that. Um, yeah, Raiders have been interesting. I mean, do you think they're a legit playoff team or no? Uh I think they will outdo their wins for the year.
SPEAKER_00I think most people feel that way right now. Uh, I'm uh totally surprised. Uh Kirk Cousins would be my uh uh sleeper quarterback, like where you draft him in ADP. Like he's putting up for his age where you drafted him.
SPEAKER_01See, that was that was my sleeper QB on this show. Or this one right now. Because yeah, Kirk Cousins.
SPEAKER_00Wow, he's like good. He didn't get drafted in most redrafts, so he's efficient right now without a through he's a pro. Yeah. He's pro. So without a receiver, he's doing well.
SPEAKER_01He's perfect for that system. And he knows like the Kubiak system, right?
SPEAKER_00Okay, so is again Kubiak.
SPEAKER_01Kubia. Oh, yeah, Kubiac.
SPEAKER_00We talk about is it the coach?
SPEAKER_01So, like my thoughts is, and I think Kirk Cousins should be the guy for the rest of the year until they're out of the playoffs. It would be great to see Mendoza in there, but it will be very interesting next year with Mendoza being the guy because he's a more talented, he's a bigger, stronger arm, Kurt Cousin. 15 years younger, so 15 years younger, and he's more athletic. So it will be interesting what this team's gonna look like. They're probably gonna bring in if it's now or next year. I would be shocked if they don't bring in some type of receiver help. Jack Bash was kind of interesting, but he's already injured.
SPEAKER_00I love Thornton coming out of college and he's disappointed. They tried, they just athlete and receiver, but they have different uh coaches now, maybe evaluating the college level because that's key is you know being able to evaluate them. And I think if they just get someone in there, at least this year, if you're trying to make a push, you need to get an X. And you know, and I mean as a dynasty guy, I want I would want to set in there because uh uh Denver has a bunch of mouths, and I mean I know Pat Bryant's hurt, but uh move him while he wants that contract though, because it doesn't matter something, it doesn't matter. These guys who cares about the contract from uh from a I agree with you because like why I think he's only got two years.
SPEAKER_01Because why would you pay Jill Jalen Waddle all that money and not give him the targets? Like it you are right.
SPEAKER_00There's it's too many mouths to feed right now, and and they have so much money into their receiver core, get rid of it, push, even if they had to eat some so that the Raiders would take it, Raiders wouldn't have to give more than a fourth or a fifth uh real NFL pick to get them.
SPEAKER_02Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So why not bring that guy, which then that helps open up uh the offense a little bit by at least having that threat. There's no threat right now. I mean, Bauer's the threat. Bauer's the mayor. Yeah, so I mean.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, but like we're seeing it. Great. So that's a good example, right? A good depth piece that you put on your bench and nobody's looking at until now, of course. But Mayer looks like he's gonna be a big part of the offense now. They're going in 12 personnel and they're just gonna ride that so and be efficient and and run the ball, and it it's working.
Reviewing Bad Takes And Waiver Tips
SPEAKER_01So what was your what was your favorite takes from our last episode?
SPEAKER_00Well, I mean, who can go wrong with saying Gibson Bijan are one when they want to? Like uh but yeah, uh running back depth. That's what I said. And I mean I stick to that. I mean, I don't care what format if you're in uh uh redraft or dynasty, without depth, you don't you don't win. Yeah and we're seeing that you know wide receivers are down, like running backs are down, you need depth.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, get those handcuffs, right? Um so my my guys that I mentioned, those are probably one of my worst takes, actually. Uh, because I said like Jonathan Brooks, JK Dobbins. Dobbins might be a sneaky play this week because they're finally playing a team that may not be good against Ron. Um, and I think Mason got hurt too. Yeah, Mason's out. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Uh Travis Etienne, that was not a good pick, guys. That's surprising though, too. I just don't understand, I don't understand Kamara. Like, what are your thoughts on that? Like, that guy's a shell of himself.
SPEAKER_00He is, but Miller can't beat him out. ETN's hurt now. I mean, that's yeah, I've had a lot of hope for uh Miller to take over that backfield for two years now, and again, he's not available, so he can never win the job, and then they bring in ETN. I don't know, something in the water in Louisiana or everybody's hurt. So something.
SPEAKER_01What were uh what were some of your sleeper running backs and uh receivers that you liked that have that you know weren't really on the radar but are starters now? My name guy. My nun guy. I do okay. Do you think he's legit?
SPEAKER_00Because he went down. Well, I think he is. I didn't think he was until another great example, coach.
SPEAKER_01This is another one. Oh, Caleb Williams out of his freaking mind week one. My breakout. I'm like, number one quarterback called it. Thank you guys. Gets injured. And then Case Keenum comes in. Case Keenum comes in, and then looks amazing. And then they sit him forward. And then Badger comes in and looks amazing. I mean, they weren't playing like Caleb Williams, they can't run like him. But I'm almost like, is Caleb Williams good? Or is it the system? Yeah, because he's he's probably the worst passer. I mean, like efficiency-wise. Obviously, he's got the arm talent. Like it's incredible.
SPEAKER_00But I again these guys get the.
SPEAKER_01He's still mobile and he can run, pull his, pull his hammy. He thought the season was over. That was a mild hamstring.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, you get dart on the sideline watching the game with a torn knee and you get paid.
SPEAKER_01He pulled the Paul Pierce. I'm sorry, I didn't come back out.
SPEAKER_00Uh so Ben Johnson is one of those guys with Kubiac, was Shannon. He uh and I've been betting against him this year. Um, and I've lost my butt off. Okay.
SPEAKER_01Um, but fantasy picks are not your do opposite.
SPEAKER_00You should do a podcast. Give advice. Bad beats. Uh but Manung, I still.
SPEAKER_01I'm actually terrible at betting. You'd probably win more money than that. Uh no, I I am terrible at that age. I always make these calls and I don't know what it is. I used to be good at NFL back in the day. I realized I don't know as much.
SPEAKER_00But you would just bet on the Patriots and you would just ride the wave. That's probably what it's gonna be. So that doesn't count. Tom Brady, right? Yeah. Uh Manungai going back though, I only have him in leagues where I have Swift. Because I was worried about Swift age, injury history, and now I'm going, oh man, I actually started Swift and Manungai this week in the same league. Yeah, it's not.
SPEAKER_01I got Dobbins with all the injuries. I got Dobbins and RJ Harvey. But just that's an RJ Harvey.
SPEAKER_00Uh I'm hoping that he continues to build upon it because I think he is uh elusive enough and he can make moves. He can break the big one, too.
SPEAKER_01But again, and in PPR, he's great. That's what you want. He has a high floor because of the PPR.
SPEAKER_00If you get five, you get five receptions and 50 yards, you get 10 points. Yeah. Uh Peyton's taking over play calling this week. So that was God.
SPEAKER_01That but I have I have one Jalen Waddle, you know, Champs League, and I'm like, this is what are we doing, Jalen Waddle? Uh I think it's Nick's. That was another one of your picks. It wasn't. I should have trained him immediately since he said something like that.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, everybody. John Dean Brothers, Waddle, DJ Moore. I still got hope in DJ Moore. You know, DJ Moore's got 30% of the uh target shares while playing. Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01How long have they played? A couple quarters.
SPEAKER_00As much as Coker. No, that was well, okay.
SPEAKER_01That's not a good example. You want to coker and freaking okay. So here, okay, so you had one of these questions before we came
Trading Future Picks For Contenders
SPEAKER_01on. So you have yeah, future trap picks, say you're tuned to, say you're competing for the year. Yeah. Who are the guys you go after? Give a future first, give a future second, third, whatever it is, get some of these guys. And also, what is your thoughts on the 2027 class? Because the 2027 class has been so overhyped. I started trading those picks because I'm like, it will not be as good as the hype. You'd be disappointed. And the same with 2026. It was like 2026 can be terrible. It was a better class so far than people were giving. So, what are your thoughts? What do you think overall the 2026?
SPEAKER_00Well, the receiver class has sucked in 2026. None of them have done anything, most of them have been hurt. Yeah. And so Lemon is boss then. Yeah. So, but it's year one. Yeah. And it's year one. So again, though, we hype it up because we look at the big. The running backs have looked a lot. That's where more of where my thoughts are. Those guys aren't even first-round picks. I mean, price and I understand that, but these are guys that actually look good. I would say going in the fourth and fifth round. The goal is to win money. That's, I mean, well, that's my goal. I don't know about your goal. Your goal is to look pretty while doing it. Absolutely. Um, but if you are in legit contention, then you should trade. And you shouldn't worry about next year because you can recoup next year's picks.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, you can you can get back in.
SPEAKER_00I have that obviously I have that flaw of state. And it just depends. And you gotta be real because a lot of people at week five are like, oh, who are guys should go after though.
SPEAKER_01Uh you have a you have a 2026 for who are guys that you realistically can go get.
SPEAKER_00Well, realistically, I just went out and got DJ Moore in a couple leagues. And and and this is me, I'm I'm all in on it. Because the AC joint is not as bad as people think. But you go in and get guys who you gotta respect DJ Moore, I love it. Well, you you get guys who this is the DJ Moore podcast. No, no, no, no, do not.
SPEAKER_01We better TM this to DJ Moore. Pick his fan right here.
SPEAKER_00Bill's fan? Uh but I would say uh second tier guys, because you you to get a Gibbs or a Bijan or a Walker, you're gonna need multiple firsts. You're gonna have to give up a lot of assets.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I'm not a big fan of getting multiple firsts. I'd rather get players.
SPEAKER_00I don't want you, I don't want to deplete my future team to win this game.
SPEAKER_01Unless your team's just so good, you're like, well, you know, but most teams aren't that way. Um like right now, I've been able to get future first from. You won't trade them to me, you jerk. Tootin. That's Tootin'. Beijel Tutin's look really good. Um, I and he's still unrated. People are trading him right now, and I think he's gonna be a legit in the back. Uh see, I kind of know what I'm talking about. I didn't trade him to you. Yeah, you do. Uh yeah, until I keep hitting you up everywhere. Those teams that are trading you because they're I just gotta wait until you have a couple beers and then you'll accept. I know how this goes.
SPEAKER_00A 10 through 12 pick is doesn't entice me. Like, I I want an earlier, I want a lottery pick or a potential. What's your thoughts on Derrick Henry? Uh trade for him. Trade for him. I'm I'm I've never owned him, but that dude has proved me wrong every year. Again, I bet against him every year.
SPEAKER_01So bet so he just he's a monster. I'm it's funny because I got a lot of Derrick Henry's and everybody make fun of me, and I'm trying to get him, make more of him, and nobody will trade him now. Well, you have to overpay. So, I mean, that's it.
SPEAKER_00Think about that. I'm trying, I'm giving the virtue first, and people are not giving them to me. And the I mean, dynasty is you gotta weather the injuries, you gotta weather the no trades. How's your team built to win? Yeah. You know, and then go from there.
SPEAKER_01You know, my biggest disappointment this year has been Cam Ward. Have you had a big disappointment?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yes, it's a good point.
SPEAKER_01Uh listen, yeah. You didn't pick him. Oh, you pick him too. All right, before I let you go, we're gonna go into OT right here.
UNLV Vs North Dakota State Preview
SPEAKER_01Okay. So there is a big game in Las Vegas at Allegiance Stadium. We got Unilev, North Dakota State. What's your thoughts? Big game.
SPEAKER_00North Dakota State is tough. Top defense, underrated offense, or high power offense. I if UNLV wins, they win the conference. Yeah. But I don't think they're gonna win. I think they're three and minus uh plus three and a half. So they think it's gonna be close. I don't think it's gonna be that close. But Arnold has a plan of his mind.
SPEAKER_01Last game he did, I I have not a bad fan of Jackson Arnold. Last week, though, he was decisive. Also, like that run?
SPEAKER_00I think he knew exactly what he wanted to do when he took that 55-yard run.
SPEAKER_01Right, which we haven't seen before. It's usually like 10 yards go down, right? But he made that cut. He was decisive, even throwing the ball. Not that he throws a lot, or you know, throws a lot of yards, I should say. But we'll see. If that continues, Cal was a great win. They also had like five really the starting quarterback running back and like three defensemen went out. When's a win, though?
SPEAKER_00When is a win?
SPEAKER_01But I know I think Dorth, I've been North Dakota State. That's all I've been talking about for the last month. They were favored the other year. They are now favored now. It's really important because I think this is the difference if fans show up for the rest of the year. Because we are a little, you know, if we're winning or not, go to the top of the state. If we're winning, if we win this game, though, I think it's gonna create a massive momentum. They're basically guaranteed probably into the Mountain West uh championship game, you know. Um, but yeah, it's a big game. I hope they can pull through. But yeah, I think at I think on paper, just the culture itself, North Dakota State's a better team right now. I agree. So yeah, sorry. That's it. No, well, we'll see. It's gonna be fun to game watch. Go to the game, guys, pack the house. Let's represent you know V. Alright, guys, we're gonna wrap it up.
Final Thoughts And Sign-Off
SPEAKER_01Steve Brown, thanks for being on. You see him at the stadium inside by my man! All right, guys, we're in Vegas to give himself today.